Re: THE GAMING HARDWARE THREAD: PS3 - 360 - WII

Sega is ready to release HD updates of cult Dreamcast classics Shenmue and Shenmue 2, according to a new report.
Shenmue HD and Shenmue 2 HD will be released on the PlayStation Network and Xbox Live Arcade, Gamerzines claimed.
Indeed development of both titles has been finished for over a year, an anonymous source said. The hold up was due to Sega working out the future of the Shenmue franchise, apparently. "Namely, whether or not Shenmue 3 would ever see the light of day," said the report.
If true, Shenmue's HD revamp follows similar efforts with other cult Dreamcast games. Sega recently announced Jet Set Radio HD, due out this summer.
Sega issued Eurogamer the following statement: "The games that were mentioned are definitely among the most requested re-releases. We can't go into specifics about our future releases, but we are excited to see so much passion surrounding our Dreamcast-era games."

Originally Posted by JustSteve

well, for all intensive porpoises it is, will sell out within seconds tomorrow.

Re: THE GAMING HARDWARE THREAD: PS3 - 360 - WII

Have you guys played The Binding of Isaac? It is the most ridiculous game I have seen in a while. I've put almost 7 hours into it during the past week. It is crazy cheap on Steam. All of you should get it.

Originally Posted by canexplain

I try to be politically pc more than most here: As a dude, anyone who could put a shark up a gals pc body, is pretty creepy, different and interesting. Just saying big time ..... cr****

Re: THE GAMING HARDWARE THREAD: PS3 - 360 - WII

I've been playing the new Magic the Etc game for the last few days. Don't bother, I'm already judging myself.

Originally Posted by Dogvolta

I just downloaded the Magic 2013 app to my iPad....its fucking great.

bought this on ipad and i think it's really well made. I beat the campaigns on easy, so i'm gonna go back thru and play them at a harder level to unlock more cards. I haven't even tried playing anyone online, but if you want to add me my user name is "JorgeinOntario".

WTF with Nicol Bolas playing moxes?? ffuuucckkkkkk.

Originally Posted by guedita

Which healthcare provider will euthanize you the fastest as a service to society?

Re: THE GAMING HARDWARE THREAD: PS3 - 360 - WII

Has anyone played Final Fantasy XIII? It's the only one I haven't played but I have heard some mixed reviews on it. Should I get it?

We talked about it a little on the previous page:

Originally Posted by Alchemy

I liked a lot of things about FFXIII. I thought Lightening was a cool character, like Cloud or Squall. But that game seemed to require more grinding than all the others, and there was such a dismal selection of enemies (same enemies, but different colors) that it just wasn't fun to level up.

Originally Posted by MissingPerson

Yeah. I liked the FFXIII characters, but that was about it. It wasn't even fun to explore, it was just super tedious and linear to play.

But, to elaborate, it was an okay experience. I enjoyed the characters. The story was a little convoluted, even for a Final Fantasy game, but I suppose it wasn't too bad. The thing I really liked about the game was the paradigm system of combat. The fighting doesn't wait for you (it isn't turn-based), so you have to be on yours toes a little. You basically pick attacks and abilities, set them in a queue, and use them when a meter fills up. It makes the combat much more interesting, in my opinion, and with something called "paradigm shift," you can bring in different strategies on the fly. The combat does have an automatic option, which basically makes combat useless, but you can ignore it and pick your own attacks. I really liked that, and I think it is a good way of expanding the series.

What I didn't like about the game was the world. You basically moved in a straight line, and for Final Fantasy standards, while a lot of things did look pretty, the areas were mostly bland. Especially the area that isn't so linear. It's a big boring place, where all you can really do is fight the same monsters over and over and over and over... (That is the downside to the cool combat system.) Once I reached this point, I lost interest very fast. I had spent a lot of time grinding and leveling up, and then I lost against some boss, and I really didn't want to fight those same enemies another 1,000,000 times just to get my numbers up.

Originally Posted by canexplain

I try to be politically pc more than most here: As a dude, anyone who could put a shark up a gals pc body, is pretty creepy, different and interesting. Just saying big time ..... cr****

Re: THE GAMING HARDWARE THREAD: PS3 - 360 - WII

Originally Posted by Alchemy

But, to elaborate, it was an okay experience. I enjoyed the characters. The story was a little convoluted, even for a Final Fantasy game, but I suppose it wasn't too bad. The thing I really liked about the game was the paradigm system of combat. The fighting doesn't wait for you (it isn't turn-based), so you have to be on yours toes a little. You basically pick attacks and abilities, set them in a queue, and use them when a meter fills up. It makes the combat much more interesting, in my opinion, and with something called "paradigm shift," you can bring in different strategies on the fly. The combat does have an automatic option, which basically makes combat useless, but you can ignore it and pick your own attacks. I really liked that, and I think it is a good way of expanding the series.

What I didn't like about the game was the world. You basically moved in a straight line, and for Final Fantasy standards, while a lot of things did look pretty, the areas were mostly bland. Especially the area that isn't so linear. It's a big boring place, where all you can really do is fight the same monsters over and over and over and over... (That is the downside to the cool combat system.) Once I reached this point, I lost interest very fast. I had spent a lot of time grinding and leveling up, and then I lost against some boss, and I really didn't want to fight those same enemies another 1,000,000 times just to get my numbers up.

I'm interested to read your thoughts on XIII-2, if you played it. I haven't, but a lot of the critics who share your exact same thoughts on 13 seemed to think that they "fixed" almost wrong with it for the sequel.

Re: THE GAMING HARDWARE THREAD: PS3 - 360 - WII

Originally Posted by nathanfairchild

I think I'll get it then. Thanks. Btw, just saw that amazon has XIII-2 on sale for $20. Not sure how long the sale is for but I went ahead and ordered both.

Just a couple days ago, I was watching a video of somebody playing the beginning of it on YouTube and it looked really cool. That, and also one time I saw the box at Best Buy and the art alone almost made me get it.

As far as JRPGs go, have you seen Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch? It has Studio Ghibli animation, a score by Joe Hisaishi (who does all the music for Hayao Miyazaki), and it is made by the creators of the Professor Layton series. That doesn't come out until January, but it looks amazing.

Originally Posted by canexplain

I try to be politically pc more than most here: As a dude, anyone who could put a shark up a gals pc body, is pretty creepy, different and interesting. Just saying big time ..... cr****

Re: THE GAMING HARDWARE THREAD: PS3 - 360 - WII

Originally Posted by JorgeC

bought this on ipad and i think it's really well made. I beat the campaigns on easy, so i'm gonna go back thru and play them at a harder level to unlock more cards. I haven't even tried playing anyone online, but if you want to add me my user name is "JorgeinOntario".

WTF with Nicol Bolas playing moxes?? ffuuucckkkkkk.

I'll see if I can add you.
I'm not the biggest MTG player (of the actual card game), but even I can tell two things about the MTG video game:
1. it is a watered down version of the physical card game
2. the game cheats like hell

I realize that basically most video games "cheat", depending on how you define cheating. I realize that this game would be pointless to play if the AI didn't have the ability to cheat, but there are some aspects of this game that is like hitting your head against a brick wall.

With that said, I LOVE the pure Blue card burn deck. I find it to be the most satisfying victories against the cheap AI.

Re: THE GAMING HARDWARE THREAD: PS3 - 360 - WII

Yeah, same of that shit is just TOO blatant. It is almost to the point where I know EXACTLY what hand/card the AI will play, based upon my hand and what I just played.
I know I know, we're complaining about the mechanics of playing a card game against computer AI...
Still, frustrating (almost game breaking) as hell.

September 18
New Adventure: The Black Pits
New Character: Dorn Il-Khan
New Character: Neera the Wild Mage
New Character: Rasaad yn Bashir
A new collection of player character voice sets
Native support for high-resolution widescreen displays
Over 400 improvements to the original game
Improved multiplayer support with connectivity between all platforms

Re: THE GAMING HARDWARE THREAD: PS3 - 360 - WII

Yeah, pretty great info dump though. just go to main page http://www.baldursgate.com/ for the same info plus photos.
Im pretty damned excited for this still.
SO bummed I have to wait until Sept though...

Re: THE GAMING HARDWARE THREAD: PS3 - 360 - WII

Unbelievable, as a very young kid I played the shit out of Dungeon Keeper, I seriously can still hear the sounds of the digging, the gold mining, the gym/weight room. Holy hell man, though I do remember hitting a wall eventually, I don't think I ever even beat it. I was probably too young to really figure out the necessary strategy to get through the later stages.

To this day I still claim that BGII is thee best video game I've played.

Re: THE GAMING HARDWARE THREAD: PS3 - 360 - WII

Originally Posted by Dogvolta

Unbelievable, as a very young kid I played the shit out of Dungeon Keeper, I seriously can still hear the sounds of the digging, the gold mining, the gym/weight room. Holy hell man, though I do remember hitting a wall eventually, I don't think I ever even beat it. I was probably too young to really figure out the necessary strategy to get through the later stages.

To this day I still claim that BGII is thee best video game I've played.

Did you ever play DK2? It was actually a good sequel to follow up DK 1. I was a huge RTS fan growing up, it got really fun doing some multiplayer matches and building dungeons/invading them. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoyed RTS games.

BG 2 + Shadows of Amn. The fucking story line. GOD DAMN WHAT A GOOD SERIES. I could say also one of the best games I've played, but currently bought the Orange Box collection and HL2 still has my heart. I can't wait to see the Hi-res free developed version of the original Half Life....

Re: THE GAMING HARDWARE THREAD: PS3 - 360 - WII

Originally Posted by nathanfairchild

I never played Baulder's Gate. What is it comparable to? Based on the screenshots I'm seeing it looks similar in style to the original Fallout games.

Very comparable to Fallout. Same type of engine I believe. This re-release of BG1 and BG2 is going to be a great opportunity to play the game that many many many other gamers other than myself and Mug claim to be one of the best (if not the best) video game.
I have no idea how well this game has aged, but from all of the improvements, tweaks, and additions they are putting into it, I think it should age fairly well.
In my opinion, Baldur's Gate 2 is a masterpiece. The story line - I am hard pressed to find modern games with a plot so well paced, written, and executed. The graphics/art - sure the Infinity Engine isn't a powerhouse of computer shattering graphics, but the attention to detail, colors, settings, sets, were all so well done that I swear I still remember numerous unique ports/docks/towns/forests/dungeons/brothels/hell-like areas.
The gameplay - this is the heart of it all. It is an RPG fan's heaven. You have an insane amount of control over the smallest of stat points, abilities, traits, spells, etc...but over ALL of your party members. Same goes for equipment.
Speaking of party members, the character's in this game are hands down thee most memorable characters in any game I have played. Also, the voice acting is top-notch.

Another memory that stands out to me is the hardcore strategy you had to tap into when dealing with even some common battles (let alone boss like encounters). I remember saving/loading/reloading countless times for many many fights in that game. Adjusting party member positions here and there, changing equipment around, buffing differently, spell casting order differently, etc. etc. Tweaking everything just so, and having my efforts pay off in an amazing death free (for my party members) victory in a blood bath of loot and exp.

And then the rare Dragon encounter...THAT is how dragons are supposed to be represented in video games (I'm looking at you, Skyrim, smh)

And then the side quest...so. many. sidequests. But the thing is, each side quest took you to the most amazingly unique areas and plot lines...and gave you the most amazing loot and exp.

Re: THE GAMING HARDWARE THREAD: PS3 - 360 - WII

If you like any concept of D&D and having it executed properly in an entertaining fashion. You will love this game, also, it has great dialogue choices to choose from, you can insult people for no reason and just kill everyone. It won't help the quest count (all the time) but its definitely a game that really takes fantasy to the level fantasy is at for its hardcore fans. Most fantasy rpgs are just hack and slash run around/get better loot/upgrade.

This is a game where 1 fucking spell roll crits and you're fucked. The god damn Basalisks. They will get your whole party and you stoned. Then bam game over.

If you're a "gamer" and enjoy RPGs play this, and also play Half Life 2. Even if you have already.

Re: THE GAMING HARDWARE THREAD: PS3 - 360 - WII

I have not played any of the HL games. I've only finally gotten into Valve recently actually, starting with Portal and Portal 2, playing a little bit with Team Fortress 2, and now I've been really enjoying Left 4 Dead 2.

Originally Posted by canexplain

I try to be politically pc more than most here: As a dude, anyone who could put a shark up a gals pc body, is pretty creepy, different and interesting. Just saying big time ..... cr****